Antecedents and consequences of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs: A systematic review

Shining a spotlight on the dangerous consequences of conspiracy theories

“…There has been a tidal wave of interest by researchers to explore the links between COVID-19 conspiracy theories and health behaviours. Ripp and Roer [ 11 ], in a systematic review performed in February 2021, found twelve studies examining COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and preventative behaviour and ten measuring COVID-19 vaccination willingness (see [ 12 ] for a similar systematic review). Results consistently uncovered a negative relationship between COVID-19 related conspiracy beliefs, vaccination willingness, and infection-prevention behaviours (see also [ 13 ] for a meta-analysis).…”

Conspiracy mentality among informal caregivers as a risk factor for caregiver burden, mental health, perceived loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings of a representative online study from Germany

“…Further research analyzing the role of these psychological factors (i.e., the three motives) is recommended to provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of the association we found. In addition, the role of political, social, demographic and economic factors as well as further psychological factors such as perceived threat or danger by the pandemic should be analyzed as well, since they are relevant antecedents of conspiracy beliefs [ 16 , 50 , 66 ] and some of them also influence informal care provision [ 24 , 67 , 68 ]. For example, socioeconomic and demographic aspects, such as education, income, and ethnic background are associated with informal caregiving, conspiracy beliefs and health [ 50 , 67 – 70 ].…”

“…In addition, the role of political, social, demographic and economic factors as well as further psychological factors such as perceived threat or danger by the pandemic should be analyzed as well, since they are relevant antecedents of conspiracy beliefs [ 16 , 50 , 66 ] and some of them also influence informal care provision [ 24 , 67 , 68 ]. For example, socioeconomic and demographic aspects, such as education, income, and ethnic background are associated with informal caregiving, conspiracy beliefs and health [ 50 , 67 – 70 ]. Thus, the association between conspiracy beliefs and health may differ based on the socioeconomic status and ethnic background of the informal caregiver.…”

“…Gender-sensitive analyses were conducted in addition. While previous findings are mixed regarding gender differences in conspiracy mentality [ 16 , 49 , 50 ], they indicate gender differences in burden, mental health and loneliness among informal caregivers [ 34 , 51 , 52 ]. Thus, analyses with gender as moderator were conducted.…”

Who Thinks COVID-19 is a Hoax? Psychological Correlates of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Attitudes Towards Anti-Coronavirus Measures at the End of the First Lockdown in Germany

“…Corresponding findings can help to design evidence-based measures so that acceptance among the population is as high as possible (Van Bavel et al, 2020). In this context, people's beliefs in conspiracy theories are highly relevant (van Mulukom et al, 2022). Recent studies report that people who believe in or are confronted with a COVID-19 conspiracy theory had lower trust in institutions and lower support for governmental regulations (Pummerer et al, 2022).…”